The index of leading U.S. economic indicators rose at a slower pace in June, signaling that the recovery may be restrained in the second half of the year, Bloomberg reported.

The Conference Board’s gauge of the outlook for the next three to six months climbed 0.3 percent after a 0.8 percent gain in May, the research group said today.

Cheaper fuel costs, an easing of supply bottlenecks created by the Japan earthquake and better weather may combine to help give the recovery a boost. Still, a reluctance to ramp up hiring and limited income growth may restrain consumer purchases.

Other indicators today showed mixed reviews.

The U.S. Department of Labor said claims for unemployment benefits increased by 10,000 to 418,000 last week, which included about 1,750 additional job cuts due to the Minnesota government shutdown.

The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index was minus 43.3 in the period to July 17, the highest since April, compared with a minus 43.9 the prior week. Even with the gain, the gauge remains at a level consistent with recessions.